Job Description

Jikoni Events Sales & Events Director Role

The Role: Building a new company vertical with a leading London restaurant.

Why: Have an Impact at a Positive, Purpose-Driven Business.

Jikoni is looking for our first (Group) Sales & Events Director to lead the growth and development of a new business vertical - Jikoni Events – for private catering and events, cultural venue partnerships, product launches, parties and corporate bookings.

The position will include working with the directors and current Jikoni restaurant team on developing the communication and marketing of this new brand vertical and Jikoni’s positive brand philosophy and values. The role will build off Jikoni’s catering for top quality private events, exciting new brands and corporate clients and an upcoming partnership with a world leading cultural venue, Jikoni’s 3 years as one of only three restaurants at Frieze London in Regent’s Park and Chef-Patron Ravinder Bhogal’s “headline” at Glastonbury Yurtel in 2024.

Jikoni x Frieze London 2023

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CySijNoIsxA/?igsh=cmU5cnY1ZWN6dTZy

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1rPkwJIGzL/?igsh=aHk0OXFjem81MTAw

Jikoni, Ravinder Bhogal & Comfort & Joy takeover at Gramercy Tavern, New York

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyL1hVlOiJ8/?igsh=ZnZvc3R5azd5MDk1

Jikoni Restaurant Brunch Launch

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5ENEZHIzW3/?igsh=MTV0dGloN3dzODIzeA==

Why Apply to Jikoni?

At Jikoni we “cook without borders”, celebrating different cultures, immigrant and maternal cuisine and a multicultural, pluralistic message in our cooking and hospitality.

We are proud be a positive, restorative business for our team, our guests and the community around us – something we think is really important in these times. For example, Jikoni was the first independent restaurant in the UK to be certified as Carbon Neutral in June 2021 and we have an exclusive relationship with a biodynamic farm.

We place great importance on learning and developing the leadership skills, professionalism and business skills in our team that make great hospitality.

Jikoni has been ranked in the UK and London’s top restaurants 5 times across leading lists, including Harden's,National Restaurant Awards, Timeout, Squaremeal and in the Top 7 restaurants in London for Sustainability and Gastronomy in the Nordic 360° Eat Guide 2024.

Tim Hayward's Financial Times Review of Jikoni:

"I tried to work out why I found Jikoni so completely charming and I've realised that it's an increasingly rare thing in this business. It feels like a place where they do “hospitality" with enthusiasm..."

The Role:

Developing and delivering a sales and business plan to deliver growth across all channels, managing all steps of the event booking process, coordinating with the management team.

Delivering events and new bookings revenue and profitability growth to meet or exceed targets.

Presenting KPI forecasts including: sales revenue, costs, cover numbers and SPH, PDR occupancy, in-house/external event bookings and promotional activity results.

Collaborating with the directors and management on strategic initiatives that will produce measurable financial results including creation and maintenance of sales kits and all client facing collateral, marketing plans and digital analytics including website, email, SEO/PPC and social media platforms.

Building strong relationships with our neighbourhood, corporate community and local residents to drive Jikoni’s sales & revenue through private events, corporate and party bookings, external catering and other channels.

What we expect the candidate to contribute to the culture at Jikoni?

We are looking for a team leader who will bring a curious and insatiable love of seasonal food, immigrant and maternal cuisine and global ingredients. Our cooking and flavours travel across South Asia, the Far East, the Middle East and East Africa, Britain and Europe.
We look for high emotional skillset in team members that makes great hospitality: Kindness & Optimism, Self-awareness, Curiosity, Integrity and Empathy for Others.
The successful candidate should feel and understand our family values: Multiculturalism & Pluralism, Integrity, Hospitality and Seva (Selfless Service), Excellence and Entrepreneurialism.

What you’ll receive:

£55,000 - £75,000 depending on experience level and track record. Plus a profit share plan and potential for group EMI share incentive based on tenure and performance metrics.
Paid training programmes and internal business training and development sessions.
Visits and unique training with our producers and farm partner.
Great team meals.
All team receive a private health cover plan from their first month, and full private healthcare cover for all team based on tenure.
50% off at Jikoni.
28 days holiday & a company pension scheme.

What happens next?

Now: Apply today with your CV which will be reviewed by the MKJ Ignite team (our dedicated recruitment partner).

First Stage: Teams call with Directors Nadeem & Ravinder.

Second Stage: Face to face interview at Jikoni, Task based technical/business skills.

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Sales & Events Director